Precision cutter

ABSTRACT

A precision cutter is provided for cutting rope into fibres of uniform length. A plurality of blades are provided having cuting edges arcuately arranged and facing inwardly. Rope is fed within the curve and pressed against the edges of the blades, forcing the rope outwardly against the cutting edges. The bodies of the cutting blades diverge outwardly in the direction taken by the cut fibres, and the cut fibres are conveyed by a fluid such as air to a collecting chamber.

[ Jan. 21, 1975 United States Patent Laird et al.

83/403 83/913 X Farmer et al. 83/913 X 2,307,721 l/l943Weirauch..,........,.................. 3,557,648 l/l97l Coffin PrimaryExaminer-J. M. Meister Ontario, Canada Nov. 8, 1973 Appl. No.: 413,902

ABSTRACT [22] Filed:

A precision cutter is provided for cutting rope into fibres of uniformlength. A plurality of blades are provided having cuting edges arcuatelyarranged and fac- 83/346, 83/349, 83/913 ing inwardly. Rope is fedwithin the curve and pressed against the edges of the blades, forcingthe rope out- 4 0 NO 1 7 4 3 D 6 4 3 3 l 9 3 8 h c r a e wardly againstthe cutting edges. The bodies of the 7 3 2 2 3 O 4 9 4 3 l l 5 4 8 2 3 8cutting blades diverge outwardly in the direction taken by the cutfibres, and the cut fibres are conveyed by a fluid such as air to acollecting chamber {56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,278,6624/1942 83/403 30 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTED JAN 21 I975 l SHEET1 OF '3 PATENTED 2 1915 3,861,257 sum: or 5 PRECISION CUTTER BRIEFDESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a precisioncutter for cutting rope into a plurality of cut fibresof substantiallyuniform length, and more particularly, relates to an apparatus using aplurality of spaced apart cutting blades in a substantially closedconfiguration. In accordance with this invention, the blades areprovided having cutting edges in such a configuration that when morethan one layer of rope is built up within the configuration, fibres arecut at precision lengths and with minimum breakage of the blades. Fibresof staple length, or even extremely short fibres of flock length, can beproduced in excellent quality and high production rates.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Rope cutters have heretofore beenprovided utilizing a plurality of cutting blades which are spaced apartfrom each other. In one such apparatus, a cutting reel has beenprovided, wherein a number of replaceable cutting blades are set aroundthe reel circumference with the cutting edges on the outside. The ropeband passes through a tensioning device before reaching the cuttingreel, and the reel is caused to revolve. This builds up a rope bandaround the cutting reel with the inner layer of the rope hand againstthe cutting edges of the blades. Adjacent the circumference of thecutting reel there is located a pressure roller which is spaced slightlyfrom the cutting edges of the blades. As the rope bands built up betweenthe blades and the pressure roller, the pressure on the rope increasesuntil it becomes so high that the inner layer of rope is cut by theblades.

The blades, in such a configuration, coverge inwardly in the directionin which the cut rope then passes. Because of this convergence in thepath that must be taken by the cut rope, it has not been possible toutilize such an apparatus for cutting extremely short lengths, such asflock, which may be as short as one-sixteenth inch for example, becauseof interference of the blades with each other due to their convergencealong the path of the cut fibres. The apparatus of the prior art asdiscussed above has only been utilizable for considerably longer lengthsof cut fibres, such as staple, having typical lengths of 3/16 inch, 1 1%inches, 4 inches and 6 inches, for example. Efforts to produce flock onsuch an apparatus have met with failure because of the tremendouspressures that are built up by the cut flock between the convergingblades, with the packing of the fibres bending or working or evencausing breakage of the blades.

Further, the fibres are forced inwardly, opposing the existingcentrifugal force of the cutting reel, which tends to urge themoutwardly. Also, in many cases, fibre deformation such as curling orcrimping, is caused.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is accordingly an object of this inventionto provide a precision flock cutter which operates continuously upon therope and produces precision cut flock in mass production quantities withminimal shutdowns or blade breakage.

Another object is to provide such an apparatus which produces precisioncut flock of exceptionally high quality, with a minimum number offusions, of miscuts, and fibre deformation.

Other objects and advantages of this invention, including the provisionfor readily interchangeable blades, and for their mass replacement as aunit, will further appear hereinafter, and in the drawings. I

DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation of a precision flock cutterapparatus constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of one-half of the apparatus appearingin FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a further enlarged view in cross-section, taken as indicatedby the lines and arrows III-III which appear in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view in cross-section, taken as indicated by the lines andarrows IV-IV which appear in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a view in cross-section, taken as indicated by the lines andarrows V-V which appear in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of a sector of the bladering and blade appearing in FIG. 2, in order more clearly to illustrateimportant features of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a flock cutter comprising a modified embodimentof apparatus according to this invention;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating another modification ofapparatus in accordance with this invention; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating still anothermodified form of apparatus in accordance with this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Although in this descriptionspecific terms will be used in the interest of clarity, it is to beunderstood that these terms are used in reference to the specific formsof the invention selected for illustration in the drawings and are notintended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined in theappended claims.

As used in connection with this invention the term rope is intended toinclude an elongated bundle of filaments arranged substantially parallelto each other, having a reasonably uniform thickness along its length.The filaments may be either continuous or discontinuous, the same aseach other or a blend of different fibres, of the same or differentdenier, and may include natural fibres or synthetic fibres alone orsynthetic fibres blended with natural fibres. Although the mostfrequently used form of rope is continuous filament tow, this term isalso intended to include garnetted waste, piddled filament waste yarns,garnetted sliver filaments and natural fibres, carded sliver, braided ortwisted rope and the like.

Turning now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the number 10 comprehensivelydesignates a precision cutter apparatus for cutting the rope R which isfed continuously from any convenient source, not shown, through a feedtube 11 which is arranged for rotation about a main drive shaft 12 whichis driven in rotation by a variable speed motor 13 mounted upon a motorsupport 14. The cutter apparatus 10 is supported by vertical supportsl5, l5 and includes a plurality of inwardly facing blades 16, circularlyarranged with all cutting edges facing inwardly toward the feed tube 11.A pressure disc 17 is also mounted for rotation about the shaft 12,driven by the motor 13 and carrying a multiplicity of spacedapartpressure wheels 20, having a structure and function which will bereferred to in further detail hereinafter. As will appear hereinafterthe pressure disc 17 comprises upper and lower spaced discs 40, 40between which the pressure wheels 20 are located. However, at this pointit should be stated that the pressure wheels 20 are constructed andarranged to press the rope R outwardly against the cutting edges of theblades 16, causing the blades to cut the rope, and forcing the ropegenerally radially outwardly into an annular chamber 21 which surroundsthe disc 17 and blades 16 and is connected to ductwork 22 leading to thefeed end of a blower 20 having an outlet duct 24 leading into acollection chamber 25 for the cut flock. Openings 26 (FIG. 4) areprovided inwardly of the ring of cutter blades 16 for admitting a fluidsuch as air into the suction chamber 21. Thus, the blower 23 draws airthrough the openings 26 into the annular chamber 21, causing the air toflow radially outwardly through the spaces between the blades 16,entraining the cut fibres and carrying them through the ductwork 22 andthrough the blower 23 and outlet duct 24 into the collection chamber 25,thus delivering the cut fibres for collection and ultimate shipment. Itwill be appreciated that collection chamber 25 is preferably a cycloneseparator.

Turning to FIG. 2 of the drawings, further details are shown withrespect to the manner in which the rope cutting portion of the apparatusis constructed and operated. As will he observed in FIG. 2, the feedtube 11 is rigidly mounted upon the disc 17 and swings around with it.The rope R passes through the tube 11 and over the curved surface of oneof the pressure wheels 20. Each pressure wheel 20 has a central shaft 30which rides in slots 31, 31 formed in the spaced discs 40, of thepressure disc 17. A spring 32, continuously maintained in compression,urges the shaft 30 radially outwardly, causing pressure contact betweenthe pressure wheel 20 and the rope R. All of the pressure wheels 20 aresimilarly constructed and mounted and are maintained by their springs 32continuously in pressure contact with the rope R.

Each slot 31, however, has an adjustable limit stop 33 at its outerextremity, limiting the permissible extent of movement of the shaft 30in a radially outward direction, thus assuring that there will always bea spacing S between the maximum radius of the path of movement of thepressure wheels 20, and the radius of the circle defined by the locus ofthe cutting edges of blades 16. Although the magnitude of the spacing Sis not critical, it is preferred to allow enough spacing so that atleast a portion of the thickness of one layer of rope is always uncut,and lies in the space provided by the spacing S.

It will be appreciated from FIG. 2 that, as the drive shaft 12 rotatesunder the influence of the motor 13, rope is distributed around theperiphery of the pressure disc 17, in between the cutting edges and thepressure wheels 20, building into one or a plurality of layers in theintervening space S. As the rope is thus trained around in one or inmultiple layers within the periphery of the cutting blades 16, thepressure wheels 20 rotate in the direction indicated by the arrowsthereon.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the spacing S is such that threelayers of uncut rope have been provided, these being designated L1, L2and L3 in the upper portion of FIG. 2. In view of the fact that thespacing S is not wide enough to accommodate more than three layers ofrope between the cutting blades 16 and the pressure wheel 20 withoutbuilding up excessive pressure, upon introduction of still anotherlayer, the pressure wheel 20 forces the rope against the cutting bladeswith such a high pressure that the outer layer L1, which is in contactwith the cutting edges of the blades 16, is cut into individual sectionsof precise dimension, each section being equal in length to the exactdistance between the adjacent cutting edges of the blades. These cutsections, which are designated as flock F in FIG. 2, are then caused tomove radially outwardly under pressure of successively cut layers L2 andL3, and are caught up in the air stream previously described andconveyed to the collection chamber 25 which may be a standard cyclonecollector or bag collector, for example.

The yieldability of the pressure wheels 20 is an im-' portant feature ofthe invention, because very high cutting pressure is required when thecutting edges are closely packed, and much lower cutting pressure isneeded when the cutting edges are farther apart from each other.

FIG. 3 shows some of the details of the pressure disc and of thepressure wheels 20, and of the manner in which they interact with theblades 16. It will be observed that the pressure wheel 20 has its shaft30 mounted in a pair of spaced apart wheel discs 40, 40 comprising apart of the pressure disc 17, and that the wheel 20 extends into thespace provided between a pair of stationary rings 41, 41 which arespaced apart from one another at a distance only slightly greater thanthe width of the wheel 20. The stationary rings 41, 41 are secured tothe arms 42 of the supports 15 and the suction housing 38 by means ofbolts 39, 39, see FIG. 4. The number 43 designates a stationary bladecarrier ring which carries a multiplicity of blades 16, each of which issecured in position by a blade carrier 44, and a set screw 45.

Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the pressure created by thewheel 20 squeezes the layers L1, L2, and L3 radially outwardly againstthe cutting edges of the blades 16. As shown in FIG. 3, the blades 16have just finished producing a cut fibre F which is shown in dottedlines just radially outwardly of the cutting edge C. The stationaryrings 41, 41 thus provide an intervening passage 46 extending radiallyoutwardly beyond the blades 16 leading to the annular suction chamber 21for carrying the cut fibres to the collection chamber 25.

Turning now to FIG. 4 of the drawings, it will be observed that theblade carrier ring 43 with its blades 16 is secured to arms 42 of thesupports 15 by means of screws 50 having knobs 51. It will be seen thatthe blades 16 pass through suitable slots in the arms 42 and in theupper stationary ring 41. Support for the bottom of the blades isprovided by slots 52 in the lower stationary ring 41.

Since all of the blades 16 are mounted in the blade carrier ring 43, itis possible to remove all of the blades as a unit by unscrewing thescrew 50 from the arms 42 but not beyond the blade ring 43 and thenlifting the unit up by means of the knobs 51. If desired, individualblades can be removed by loosening the set screws 45. Of course, someblades may be omitted from the configuration, when it is desired toprovide wider spacing between blades.

In connection with the vertical supports and their arms 42, it will benoted that in this instance three supports and arms are provided whichare circumferentially spaced at 120.

FIG. 5 shows the rope being fed into the cutter through the feed tube11. It passes outwardly around the pressure disc 17 previouslydescribed, but the disc 17 is not visible in FIG. 5 because it isobscured by the rope. The layers of rope L1, L2 and L3 are shown in aposition in which the layer L1 is about to be cut as soon as the nextlayer is fed within layer L3.

It is important in accordance with this invention that the blades bemounted with respect to each other in such a manner that they divergeoutwardly in the manner shown in FIG. 6 of the drawing. This provides aspacing D2 at the outer extremities of the blades which is greater thanthe spacing D1 at the cutting edges, thus providing an outwardlydiverging passageway 53 between adjacent blades 16, 16 allowing the cutfibres to proceed radially outwardly without packing or exerting unduelateral pressure upon the blades. This is an important and advantageousfeature of this invention, and it has been found that without thisfeature of divergence, it is virtually impossible for the cut fibres toexit without jamming or to cut the rope into short flock lengths withoutencountering repeated and frequent breakage of excessive numbers ofcutting blades. The holders 44 have a generally U-shaped cross sectionand are tapered so they may be arranged side by side with each other toform a circle.

Although this invention has been described in connection with arotatable disc operating in conjunction with a stationary ring ofcutting blades, it is impossible instead to rotate the blades as shownin FIG. 8, and to maintain the pressure disc 17 and the axes of therotatable pressure wheels 20 stationary. The rope is continuouslybrought into the cutter by the rotation of the blades.

FIG. 9 shows another modification of the apparatus in accordance withthis invention wherein the pressure wheels 20, carried on their shafts30, are caused to be driven in rotation by means of pinions 61 meshingwith the teeth of an internal ring gear 62. In some forms of theapparatus, it has been found to be preferable to drive the wheels 20 inrotation, rather than to allow them to rotate under the influence of therope alone, and in some cases a better cutting action and cuttingcontrol and a better cut product have been obtained.

It is an advantage of this invention that the rope may be cut into verysmall length fibres, forming flock having a length of one-eighth inchdown to one sixty-fourth inch and even smaller. However, the apparatusis also capable of producing short staple up to three-fourths inch andlonger staple from inch to 7 k inches in length, for example.

The number of wraps of uncut rope that are trained around within theperiphery of the cutting edges at a given time varies, of course, withthe pressure needed to cause cutting under the conditions that prevail.The spacing between the pressure wheels and the cutting edges may bevaried or limited at will, as may the spring pressure and the sharpnessof the blades. However, it is preferred to space the pressure wheels atleast far enough away that they have no chance to contact or damage thecutting edges, and there should normally be at least a partial layer ofuncut infeeding rope in the intervening space forming a cushion.However, there is no limit to the number of such uncut rope layers, andtwo, three, four or more may be used with efficiency and effectiveness.

The rope, of course, may be of any denier at all. With smaller deniers,such as 10,000 or less, it is preferable to use a larger number oflayers of uncut rope in the intervening space, and with deniers of250,000 to 500,000 or more, a lesser number of such uncut layers (suchas part of one or up to two) is considered more practical.

It will be appreciated that the rope may be cut while wet, if desired,and the wet cut fibres may be conveyed away either by air or other fluidor by mechanical means.

Further, various blade spacings may be used, even using differentspacings for a particular product, to achieve predetermined ratios ofmultiple cut lengths.

Instead of the springs 32, air or hydraulic cylinders, or equivalentmechanical linkages, may be substituted or even combined.

Although it is preferred in most cases to use a yieldable means such asspring 32 or the like, the apparatus may be built with fixed shafts 30for the wheels 20, for example, as shown in FIG. 7. In that instance,although the pressure disc 17 remains concentric with the ring of blades16, the shafts 30 and wheels 20 should be located at different diameterson disc 17. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, wheel 20a might be theclosest to the center of rotation 12, 20b next closest, 20c nextclosest, and so on, with wheel 20h the closest to the edges of theblades 16. Since the thickness of the uncut rope varies around thecircle in the same manner, these selectively spaced wheels 20a 20hprovide substantially constant cutting pressure all around the circle,and they all perform approximately equal shares of the total cuttingoperation.

When reference herein is made to layers of rope within the ring ofblades, it is appreciated that the layer next to the blades may be cutpartially through, but nevertheless keeps its integrity as a layer forthe purpose of assuring continuity of feed of the successive layers ofrope as they are fed into the cutter.

In order to achieve maximum divergence angles of the blades it ispreferable to make the blade ring at the minimum diameter that willnevertheless provide the desired production rate. Although great numbersof blades may be provided, up to 1,000 or 2,000 or even more in a commoncircle, we achieve preferred cutting operations by using about 50 toabout 300 blades in a circular arrangement. This gives substantial bladedivergence angles, excellent cutting and reliable performance inaccordance with this invention.

Although specific pressure means such as discs 20 have been disclosed,other pressure means may be substituted, such as high-pressure waterjets, for example.

Although this invention has been described with reference to specificembodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that various modificationsmay be made, including the substitution of equivalent elements for thoseshown and described. Further, the invention comprehends the use ofcertain features independently of other features; for example, it ispossible to generate cutting pressure from a pressure disc like disc 17alone, without providing any separate pressure wheels 20. Othermodifications include the reversal of parts, and

the substitution of equivalent elements, all of which modifications maybe made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined in the appended claims.

The following is claimed:

I. In a precision cutter for cutting rope into a plurality of cut fibresof predetermined short length, the combination which comprises: supportmeans maintaining a plurality of at least about 50 spaced-apartsubstantially parallel cutting blades in a substantially closedconfiguration, said blades having cutting edges which face inwardlywithin said configuration and are spaced about one-eighth to onesixty-fourth inch apart from each other, feed means feeding said ropewithin said configuration and including distributing means operativewithin said configuration to distribute a layer of said rope around insuccessive contact with said successive cutting edges, pressure meanscomprising a plurality of spaced-apart pressure members movable relativeto said rope within said configuration and operative and effective uponsaid rope while said rope is disposed in simultaneous contact with aplurality of said successive edges, to press said rope outwardly againstsaid successive cutting edges while said rope is in contact with aplurality of said successive edges to cut said rope by radially-directedpressure in contact with said cutting edges.

2. The cutter defined in claim 1, including delivery means operative andeffective to impose a stream of fluid upon the cut fibres flowingoutwardly through the spaces between said blades.

3. The cutter defined in claim 2 wherein said distributing means isspaced-apart from said cutting edges at a distance greater than thethickness of said rope, and accordingly serves to distribute a pluralityof layers or partial layers of said rope internally along the edges ofthe blades, one such layer being located in contact with said layer orpartial layer which is in contact with said cutting edges.

4. The cutter defined in claim 3 wherein each said pressure meansincludes a rotatable member yieldably urged downwardly toward saidcutting edges, and means are provided for continuously swinging saidrotatable member around inside said configuration in contact with ropewhich is located outwardly of said rotating member but inwardly of saidcutting edges.

5. The cutter defined in claim 4 wherein each said pressure meansincludes a wheel which is driven in rotation about its axis.

6. The cutter defined in claim 1 wherein each said pressure member ismovable toward and away from said blades, and wherein stop means areprovided to limit said movement toward said blades to provide a spacingequivalent to about the thickness of one to four layers of rope betweensaid pressure member and said cutting edges.

7. The cutter defined in claim 6, wherein said stop means is adjustablein position.

8. The cutter defined in claim 6 wherein said number of thicknesses is2.

9. The cutter defined in claim 6 wherein said number of thicknesses is3.

10. The cutter defined in claim 6 wherein said number of thicknesses is4.

11. The cutter defined in claim 1 wherein all means are interconnectedin a manner to form a substantially enclosed chamber in which saidcutting blades are radially arranged in a generally ring-shapedconfiguration.

12. The cutter defined in claim 1 wherein said cutting edges areremovably and disposably mounted in spacer holders.

13. The cutter defined in claim 1 wherein said feed means includes anangularly arranged rotatable feed member provided within saidconfiguration, having a rope guide which is arranged to swing around ina path which is spacd inwardly of said cutting blades to apply said ropein said configuration of said cutting edges.

14. The cutter defined in claim 1 wherein a discharge collecting passageis provided for the cut fibres outwardly of said blades, and whereinsuction means are connected to the cutter to draw the cut fibres throughthe space between said blades and along through said collecting passagefor collection of the cut fibres.

15. The cutter defined in claim 1 wherein said cutting blades aremounted on a common carrier, and wherein access means are provided insaid cutter for removing said carrier as a unit for removing andreplacing a plurality of blades as a unit.

16. The cutter defined in claim 15, wherein said carrier is a bladering.

17. The cutter defined in claim 1, wherein said configuration is a ringand wherein said pressure means is a rotating disc.

18. The cutter defined in claim 1 wherein said support means comprisesspaced-apart wall members forming substantially parallel floor andceiling members, and wherein said blades extend substantiallyperpendicularly between said floor and said ceiling, wherein said bladeconfiguration is a ring, wherein said pressure means includes a discwhich is arranged substantially parallel to said floor and ceiling andarranged to rotate with its surface forming a confined space betweensaid floor, ceiling, pressure disc and blade configuration, and whereinsaid feed means is located to feed said rope into said confined space.

19. The cutter defined in claim 2, wherein said carrier fluid is air.

20. In a precision cutter for cutting rope into a plurality of cutfibres of predetermined length, the combination which comprises: supportmeans maintaining a plurality of spaced-apart cutting blades in asubstantially closed configuration, said blades having cutting edgeswhich face inwardly within said configuration, feed means feeding saidrope within said configuration and including distributing meansoperative within said configuration to distribute a layer of said ropearound in contact with said cutting edges, pressure means movablerelative to said rope within said configuration and operative andeffective upon said rope to press it outwardly against said cuttingedges to cut said rope in contact with said cutting edges, wherein saidcutting edges are removably and disposably mounted in spacer holders,and wherein said holders have a generally U- shaped cross section andare tapered so that they may be arranged side-by-side in contact witheach other in a generally arcuate configuration.

21. In a precision cutter for cutting rope into a plurality of cutfibres of predetermined length, the combination which comprises: supportmeans maintaining a plurality of spaced-apart cutting blades in asubstantially closed configuration, said blades having cutting edgeswhich face inwardly within said configuration, feed means feeding saidrope within said configuration and including distributing meansoperative within said configuration to distribute a layer of said ropearound in contact with said cutting edges, pressure means movablerelative to said rope within said configuration and operative andeffective upon said rope to press it outwardly against said cuttingedges to cut said rope in contact with said cutting edges, wherein saidpressure means includes a rotatable member yieldably urged outwardlytoward said cutting edges, and means are provided for continuouslyswinging said rotatable member around inside said configuration incontact with rope which is located outwardly of said rotating member butinwardly of said cutting edges, and wherein a plurality of suchrotatable pressure members are provided, wherein they are carried inspaced relationship upon a rotating drive member, and wherein drivemeans are provided for continuously rotating said drive member to forcesaid pressure members against a layer of rope as said rope is fed intosaid configuration.

22. In a precision cutter for cutting rope into a plurality of cutfibres of predetermined length, the combination which comprises: supportmeans maintaining a plurality of spaced-apart cutting blades in asubstantially closed configuration, said blades having cutting edgeswhich face inwardly within said configuration, feed means feeding saidrope within said configuration and including distributing meansoperative within said configuration to distribute a layer of said ropearound in contact with said cutting edges, pressure means movablerelative to said rope within said configuration and operative andeffective upon said rope to press it outwardly against said cuttingedges to cut said rope in contact with said cutting edges, wherein saidblades are mounted in a stationary manner and said rope feed means isdriven in a path located within said configuration.

23. In a precision cutter for cutting rope into a plurality of cutfibres of predetermined length, the combination which comprises: supportmeans maintaining a plurality of spaced-apart cutting blades in asubstantially closed configuration, said blades having cutting edgeswhich face inwardly within said configuration, feed means feeding saidrope within said configuration and including distributing meansoperative within said configuration to distribute a layer of said ropearound in contact with said cutting edges, pressure means movablerelative to said rope within said configuration and operative andeffective upon said rope to press it outwardly against said cuttingedges to cut said rope in contact with said cutting edges, wherein saidfeed means is mounted in a stationary position within saidconfiguration, and wherein said cutting blades are mounted on supportingmeans which rotate as a unit around said feed means.

24. In a precision cutter for cutting rope into a plurality of cutfibres of predetermined length, the combination which comprises: supportmeans maintaining a plurality of spaced-apart cutting blades in asubstantially closed configuration, said blades having cutting edgeswhich face inwardly within said configuration, feed means feeding saidrope within said configuration and including distributing meansoperative within said configuration to distribute a layer of said ropearound in contact with said cutting edges, pressure means movablerelative to said rope within said configuration and operative andeffective upon said rope to press it outwardly against said cuttingedges to cut said rope in contact with said cutting edges, wherein saidsupport means comprises spaced-apart wall members forming substantiallyparallel floor and ceiling members, and wherein said blades extendsubstantially perpendicularly between said floor and said ceiling,wherein said blade configuration is a ring, wherein said pressure meansincludes a disc which is arranged substantially parallel to said floorand ceiling and arranged to rotate with its surface forming a confinedspace between said floor, ceiling, pressure disc and bladeconfiguration, and wherein said feed means is located to feed said ropeinto said confined space, and wherein said pressure disc carries apressure member yieldably movable toward and away from said blades, saidpressure member protruding closer to said blades than does the body ofsaid pressure disc, and said rope feed means being located to feed saidrope through a location outwardly of said pressure disc but inwardly ofthe outermost portion of said pressure member.

25. In a method of cutting rope into fibres, the steps which compriseproviding a plurality of cutting edges in a generally enclosedconfiguration, said edges facing inwardly toward the space within saidconfiguration, continuously feeding said rope into the space within saidconfiguration to lay said rope in successive contact with successiveedges, applying pressure outwardly against said rope simultaneously at aplurality of spaced-apart locations to cut said rope underradiallydirected pressure on said cutting edges, while said rope isdisposed in simultaneous contact with a plurality of said successiveedges, and substantially radially outwardly conveying the resulting cutfibres.

26. The method defined in claim 25 wherein said pressure is applied at apoint that is spaced apart from said cutting edges at a distance greaterthan the thickness of said rope, whereby plural layers of said rope aredisposed concentrically within each other within said bladeconfiguration, and wherein the incoming rope is fed as the innermostlayer, and wherein the outermost layer is cut into fibres concurrentlywith the feeding of said innermost layer.

27. The method defined in claim 25, wherein said cutting of saidoutermost layer is accomplished by pressure applied through saidinnermost layer.

28. The method defined in claim 25, wherein the cut fibres are conveyedby causing a fluid to flow outwardly between said cutting edges, whereinsaid fluid is caused to transport said cut fibres to a collectioncontainer, and wherein said fibres are separated from said fluid in saidcontainer.

29. The method defined in claim 28, wherein said fluid is air.

30. The method defined in claim 25, wherein the rope is fed from within,in a manner to provide an internally coiled rope having more than onelayer, of which the outermost layer is in contact with the cutting edgesand the innermost layer is the most recently fed layer and wherein saidpressure is applied upon at least a por tion of said innermost layer,said pressure being applied outwardly through said innermost layer andupon said outermost layer to cause said cutting edge to cut saidoutermost layer.

1. In a precision cutter for cutting rope into a plurality of cut fibresof predetermined short length, the combination which comprises: supportmeans maintaining a plurality of at least about 50 spaced-apartsubstantially parallel cutting blades in a substantially closedconfiguration, said blades having cutting edges which face inwardlywithin said configuration and are spaced about one-eighth to onesixty-fourth inch apart from each other, feed means feeding said ropewithin said configuration and including distributing means operativewithin said configuration to distribute a layer of said rope around insuccessive contact with said successive cutting edges, pressure meanscomprising a plurality of spaced-apart pressure members movable relativeto said rope within said configuration and operative and effective uponsaid rope while said rope is disposed in simultaneous contact with aplurality of said successive edges, to press said rope outwardly againstsaid successive cutting edges while said rope is in contact with aplurality of said successive edges to cut said rope by radially-directedpressure in contact with said cutting edges.
 2. The cutter defined inclaim 1, including delivery means operative and effective to impose astream of fluid upon the cut fibres flowing outwardly through the spacesbetween said blades.
 3. The cutter defined in claim 2 wherein saiddistributing means is spaced-apart from said cutting edges at a distancegreater than the thickness of said rope, and accordingly serves todistribute a plurality of layers or partial layers of said ropeinternally along the edges of the blades, one such layer being locatedin contact with said layer or partial layer which is in contact withsaid cutting edges.
 4. The cutter defined in claim 3 wherein each saidpressure means includes a rotatable member yieldably urged downwardlytoward said cutting edges, and means are provided for continuouslyswinging said rotatable member around inside said configuration incontact with rope which is located outwardly of said rotating member butinwardly of said cutting edges.
 5. The cutter defined in claim 4 whereineach said pressure means includes a wheel which is driven in rotationabout its axis.
 6. The cutter defined in claim 1 wherein each saidpressure member is movable toward and away from said blades, and whereinstop means are proviDed to limit said movement toward said blades toprovide a spacing equivalent to about the thickness of one to fourlayers of rope between said pressure member and said cutting edges. 7.The cutter defined in claim 6, wherein said stop means is adjustable inposition.
 8. The cutter defined in claim 6 wherein said number ofthicknesses is
 2. 9. The cutter defined in claim 6 wherein said numberof thicknesses is
 3. 10. The cutter defined in claim 6 wherein saidnumber of thicknesses is
 4. 11. The cutter defined in claim 1 whereinall means are interconnected in a manner to form a substantiallyenclosed chamber in which said cutting blades are radially arranged in agenerally ring-shaped configuration.
 12. The cutter defined in claim 1wherein said cutting edges are removably and disposably mounted inspacer holders.
 13. The cutter defined in claim 1 wherein said feedmeans includes an angularly arranged rotatable feed member providedwithin said configuration, having a rope guide which is arranged toswing around in a path which is spacd inwardly of said cutting blades toapply said rope in said configuration of said cutting edges.
 14. Thecutter defined in claim 1 wherein a discharge collecting passage isprovided for the cut fibres outwardly of said blades, and whereinsuction means are connected to the cutter to draw the cut fibres throughthe space between said blades and along through said collecting passagefor collection of the cut fibres.
 15. The cutter defined in claim 1wherein said cutting blades are mounted on a common carrier, and whereinaccess means are provided in said cutter for removing said carrier as aunit for removing and replacing a plurality of blades as a unit.
 16. Thecutter defined in claim 15, wherein said carrier is a blade ring. 17.The cutter defined in claim 1, wherein said configuration is a ring andwherein said pressure means is a rotating disc.
 18. The cutter definedin claim 1 wherein said support means comprises spaced-apart wallmembers forming substantially parallel floor and ceiling members, andwherein said blades extend substantially perpendicularly between saidfloor and said ceiling, wherein said blade configuration is a ring,wherein said pressure means includes a disc which is arrangedsubstantially parallel to said floor and ceiling and arranged to rotatewith its surface forming a confined space between said floor, ceiling,pressure disc and blade configuration, and wherein said feed means islocated to feed said rope into said confined space.
 19. The cutterdefined in claim 2, wherein said carrier fluid is air.
 20. In aprecision cutter for cutting rope into a plurality of cut fibres ofpredetermined length, the combination which comprises: support meansmaintaining a plurality of spaced-apart cutting blades in asubstantially closed configuration, said blades having cutting edgeswhich face inwardly within said configuration, feed means feeding saidrope within said configuration and including distributing meansoperative within said configuration to distribute a layer of said ropearound in contact with said cutting edges, pressure means movablerelative to said rope within said configuration and operative andeffective upon said rope to press it outwardly against said cuttingedges to cut said rope in contact with said cutting edges, wherein saidcutting edges are removably and disposably mounted in spacer holders,and wherein said holders have a generally U-shaped cross section and aretapered so that they may be arranged side-by-side in contact with eachother in a generally arcuate configuration.
 21. In a precision cutterfor cutting rope into a plurality of cut fibres of predetermined length,the combination which comprises: support means maintaining a pluralityof spaced-apart cutting blades in a substantially closed configuration,said blades having cutting edges which face inwardly within saidconfiguration, feed means feeding said rope within said configuraTionand including distributing means operative within said configuration todistribute a layer of said rope around in contact with said cuttingedges, pressure means movable relative to said rope within saidconfiguration and operative and effective upon said rope to press itoutwardly against said cutting edges to cut said rope in contact withsaid cutting edges, wherein said pressure means includes a rotatablemember yieldably urged outwardly toward said cutting edges, and meansare provided for continuously swinging said rotatable member aroundinside said configuration in contact with rope which is locatedoutwardly of said rotating member but inwardly of said cutting edges,and wherein a plurality of such rotatable pressure members are provided,wherein they are carried in spaced relationship upon a rotating drivemember, and wherein drive means are provided for continuously rotatingsaid drive member to force said pressure members against a layer of ropeas said rope is fed into said configuration.
 22. In a precision cutterfor cutting rope into a plurality of cut fibres of predetermined length,the combination which comprises: support means maintaining a pluralityof spaced-apart cutting blades in a substantially closed configuration,said blades having cutting edges which face inwardly within saidconfiguration, feed means feeding said rope within said configurationand including distributing means operative within said configuration todistribute a layer of said rope around in contact with said cuttingedges, pressure means movable relative to said rope within saidconfiguration and operative and effective upon said rope to press itoutwardly against said cutting edges to cut said rope in contact withsaid cutting edges, wherein said blades are mounted in a stationarymanner and said rope feed means is driven in a path located within saidconfiguration.
 23. In a precision cutter for cutting rope into aplurality of cut fibres of predetermined length, the combination whichcomprises: support means maintaining a plurality of spaced-apart cuttingblades in a substantially closed configuration, said blades havingcutting edges which face inwardly within said configuration, feed meansfeeding said rope within said configuration and including distributingmeans operative within said configuration to distribute a layer of saidrope around in contact with said cutting edges, pressure means movablerelative to said rope within said configuration and operative andeffective upon said rope to press it outwardly against said cuttingedges to cut said rope in contact with said cutting edges, wherein saidfeed means is mounted in a stationary position within saidconfiguration, and wherein said cutting blades are mounted on supportingmeans which rotate as a unit around said feed means.
 24. In a precisioncutter for cutting rope into a plurality of cut fibres of predeterminedlength, the combination which comprises: support means maintaining aplurality of spaced-apart cutting blades in a substantially closedconfiguration, said blades having cutting edges which face inwardlywithin said configuration, feed means feeding said rope within saidconfiguration and including distributing means operative within saidconfiguration to distribute a layer of said rope around in contact withsaid cutting edges, pressure means movable relative to said rope withinsaid configuration and operative and effective upon said rope to pressit outwardly against said cutting edges to cut said rope in contact withsaid cutting edges, wherein said support means comprises spaced-apartwall members forming substantially parallel floor and ceiling members,and wherein said blades extend substantially perpendicularly betweensaid floor and said ceiling, wherein said blade configuration is a ring,wherein said pressure means includes a disc which is arrangedsubstantially parallel to said floor and ceiling and arranged to rotatewith its surface forming a confined space between said floor, ceiling,pressure disc and blade configuration, and wherein said feed means islocated to feed said rope into said confined space, and wherein saidpressure disc carries a pressure member yieldably movable toward andaway from said blades, said pressure member protruding closer to saidblades than does the body of said pressure disc, and said rope feedmeans being located to feed said rope through a location outwardly ofsaid pressure disc but inwardly of the outermost portion of saidpressure member.
 25. In a method of cutting rope into fibres, the stepswhich comprise providing a plurality of cutting edges in a generallyenclosed configuration, said edges facing inwardly toward the spacewithin said configuration, continuously feeding said rope into the spacewithin said configuration to lay said rope in successive contact withsuccessive edges, applying pressure outwardly against said ropesimultaneously at a plurality of spaced-apart locations to cut said ropeunder radially-directed pressure on said cutting edges, while said ropeis disposed in simultaneous contact with a plurality of said successiveedges, and substantially radially outwardly conveying the resulting cutfibres.
 26. The method defined in claim 25 wherein said pressure isapplied at a point that is spaced apart from said cutting edges at adistance greater than the thickness of said rope, whereby plural layersof said rope are disposed concentrically within each other within saidblade configuration, and wherein the incoming rope is fed as theinnermost layer, and wherein the outermost layer is cut into fibresconcurrently with the feeding of said innermost layer.
 27. The methoddefined in claim 25, wherein said cutting of said outermost layer isaccomplished by pressure applied through said innermost layer.
 28. Themethod defined in claim 25, wherein the cut fibres are conveyed bycausing a fluid to flow outwardly between said cutting edges, whereinsaid fluid is caused to transport said cut fibres to a collectioncontainer, and wherein said fibres are separated from said fluid in saidcontainer.
 29. The method defined in claim 28, wherein said fluid isair.
 30. The method defined in claim 25, wherein the rope is fed fromwithin, in a manner to provide an internally coiled rope having morethan one layer, of which the outermost layer is in contact with thecutting edges and the innermost layer is the most recently fed layer andwherein said pressure is applied upon at least a portion of saidinnermost layer, said pressure being applied outwardly through saidinnermost layer and upon said outermost layer to cause said cutting edgeto cut said outermost layer.